West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-12-09
HAHPER's FERRY LETTER.



Mr.. EDITOR.-"All work and no
play makes Jack dull boy" is an
old and merciful proverb, and when
Jack is dull enough by Nature the
necessity for showing him some kind
consideration becomes imperative.
Acting on this wise old saw the PEG.
pie of Harper's Ferry in town meet
ing assembled voted US a holiday
last Tuesday and told US that they
would try to dispense for once with
the weekly trumpet blast with which
we proclaim to the world the doings
of their far and justly celebrated
village. We were too precious and
too unsophisticated. however, to be
let 90 without a responsible guide
and protector, and with many in
functions to take particular care OF
their treasure they entrusted us to
the safe keeping of Sheriff Hurst,
who gave us ride in his buggy to
historic Charlestown. We know not
what bond they required for our safe
return, but whatever it may have
been. it was not forfeited, for our
careful custodian never for moment
allowed us to get out of his view,
and to make certain that we would
not straggle of, he put our name on
the jury list, thus securing our safe
tv and at the same time placing us
in situation particularly agreeable
to us, as he was well aware. We
hardly need say that our countymen
are not particularly partial to courts
although they are said to be by no
means averse to cOurtiHg, and when
il is known that we came from That
happy portion of the Green Island
that is and always was considered
''West of the Law" our delight Mt
being made a part and parcel OF a
judicial proceeding may well be i'm
agined, but we were doomed TO dis
appointment, for we were challenged
and set aside peremptorily. 1t is
pity that this was so, for the case
before the court was a charge Of
carrying concealed weapons, and we
lost a fine chance of exhibiting the
immense powers of analysis and cas-
uistrv for which we are famous in
reconciling to reason the anomaly of
calling weapon concealed when the
witnesses for the prosecution mast
hare seen Il in order TO make out a
case against the accused. If it was
concealed, nobody saw it, and con-
sequently nobody could swear that
it was carried about by the prisoner.
If it was exposed then it was not
concealed and there was no violation
of the statute. Butlike many other
opportunities in life, we lost this,
and perhaps it is better for the fl
nances of jefferson county that we
missed it, for any way an Irishman
would rather hang a jury than a
prisoner. when the Otfense charged
is an amiable weakness for punch.
ing heads or peppering with pieces
OF old pewter spoons or scrap iron
as is nightly practiced in 1.-THE Gem
of the Sea" on beloved landlords
and their agents. Carry out this
law respecting concealed weapons to
its logical conclusion, and nobody
could wear gloves or shoes because
of the ability and presumed willing
ness to thump or kick neighbor,
and everybody would be obliged to
show all his teeth constantly be-
cause of the possibility of his biting
off somebody's nose. The magma
ton can conjure up very easily the
most dire consequences from arigid
and literal Interpretation of this
Draconic Statute, but we pause
aghast from the dread contempla
ton. We suggest that the people
of jefferson county send Us to the
next Legislature. We can kill time
and collect per diem as well as
anybody, and we promise our vote
and voice for the abolition of ali
laws restricting the rights and priv
ileges of defence and offence as well,
and to save time electioncering next
Fall. we will in few words define
our position on the rights of man
generally, and say that We are dis
cipleS of our illustrious countyman,
the Irish giant whose noble and eX-
allied principles were emblazoned on
his shield in this pithy and EXPIRES
sive motto, Il give no right and |
take no wrong" and while we think
of it, we promise to follow the exam
pie of another famous compatriot of
ours-a member of Parliament, and
propose a law that every quart bot
tie shall contain 4 quart.
Our outing day at Charlestown
was a pleasant one. We were the
guest of a clever fellow, j. Garland
Hurst, who, not content with furn-
ishing us transportation. fed us with
an excellent dinner at the Carter
II w. .,o4 C,l Inc ~ OH